VBC Brewpub Tour – Granville Island Brewing
Where’s the beer tube?
On our Brewpub Roadtrip to Vancouver, Brett and I rolled into Granville Island Brewing a little early for the locals. Apparently, the pub doesn’t start serving until noon, so we bought tickets for the beer tour and went looking for brunch.
Returning at the appointed hour, we went on the world’s shortest brewery tour. Granville only brews small batches at the brewpub, its major production facilities are elsewhere. Still, we had a fun viewing of mashers, hopers, and other assorted empty steel containers until the real fun began – beer tasting.
With six little beers in front of us, Brett and I shared tasting tips and tales with an assortment of Canadians and a token American couple. Quickly, the topic turned to politics and a favorite quote was heard:
Read MoreVBC Brewpub Tour – Dockside Brewing
Skip Dockside Brewing
I don’t know what we could have expected from a brewpub located in a hotel restaurant. The scene wasn’t promising when we walked in and felt a serious tourist vibe. Still, Brett and I were on a Vancouver Brewpub Tour and so we were determined to drink at the Dockside Brewing restaurant.
Again, we got a taster of beers, this time six or eight unremarkable and tasteless beers. Wait, there was a taste to the pilsner – it was foul! Now it could’ve been just a bad line or the actual taste of the beer, but neither Brett nor I could finish the schooner.
Read MoreVBC Brewpub Tour – Yaletown Brewing
Cheers to good beer
After we broke breakfast rules, Brett and I headed out to Yaletown Brewing for the next stop on our Vancouver Brewpub Tour.
Sadly, at first we were denied seating by Yaletown. Seems they require a food purchase if you want to drink beer in the restaurant. Full from breakfast, we declined and were seen to the bar. For our troubles, we got a free round, quickly cooling our frustration and making the beer taste even better.
Read MoreVBC Brewpub Tour – Steamworks Brewing
Focused on beer
Wow! Steamworks Brewing has a stunning view of Vancouver Bay and the snow-capped peaks that rise from the water beyond it. Better yet, Steamworks backs up that view with stunning beers.
I fell in instant love with the espresso stout, a dark, chocolaty, coffee beer that both woke my taste buds and my mind. Brett, ever the hops man, went with the IPA and was equally impressed. Both beers embodied the majestic scenery – both, distinctive, memorable.
Read MoreVBC Brewpub Tour – Dix Brewing
Beer geek heaven
While I was not impressed with Dix Brewing, Brett was in total beer man heaven. In fact, our notes from Dix is entitled “FEST!!!”
First, every beer was all hopes, his favorite. Then, the master brewer was just hanging out at the bar and Brett bonded with him over a long, very beer geek conversation. I swear they were even comparing hops grown on different sides of Mount Hood.
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